tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75686950406080530732024-03-12T21:18:03.967-07:00Yellow Rose Eventing BlogTrials and tribulations of Katie Ruppel, international level event riderYellow Rose Eventinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009634651458648269noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568695040608053073.post-91035321051919326302012-11-04T16:58:00.002-08:002012-11-04T16:58:40.123-08:002012 in a NutshellSunday at Fair Hill marked the end of the year for my string of horses and I. It is such a huge relief to turn out sound, happy horses at the finish of the last competition. We all have had a big year and deserve a little rest.<br />
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I began the year in a not so good place, dissapointed again by being left off the developing riders list and then to add insult to injury I fell off at Kentucky. Houdini was struggling to move up to Advanced, I was basically a homeless eventing gypsy and I felt like nothing in my life was going in the right direction. Not such a good start to 2012. <br />
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When I was little mama always told me never to cry over spilled milk. Get over it and get on with it. I found myself dwelling on the negatives and she quickly put the kabash on that. Listen to your mothers, people. Although being an eventing gypsy is good fun, I decided if I really wanted to make a go of this I needed a stable place to keep and train the horses (no pun intended). I purchsed a small farm in Ocala that has everything I need. The community down here is amazing and I am surrounded by wonderful, helpful, supportive people. A year ago they were strangers, now they are family.<br />
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I think that horses are much more intuative than they are given credit for. Once we settled into the new farm it was like they knew they were home. Even the barely broke babies were calm, cooperative and happy in their work. We worked hard over the summer and our efforts were rewarded, Don does what Don does best and finished top ten in both the Richland CIC3* and Fair Hill CCI3*. I had my doubts about Houdini, but he rose to the occasion by finishing his season with a win in the Advanced at Poplar Place. I have such high hopes for this horse. <br />
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It seems at the end of each year I keep finding myself in a better place. I have a wonderful new girl who works for me, she just finished 2nd in the Novice at Rocking Horse on her spooky young Dutch gelding. I am very, very proud of her and she works her tail off every day. She also has the added benefit of a wonderful family who is endlessly supportive of me. No matter what anyone says, this a team sport, and I am very lucky to have such a n incredible team behind me. I welcomed some great new sponsors, first and foremost Patty Merli saddle fitter extraordinaire and her awesome husband Rip. They have put me in some lovely Bliss saddles and I can't wait to try the Black Country line up. Revitavet is a wonderful product that we use on a daily basis, the owner Tom is a huge supporter and is always good for a congratulatory phone call after a big event. I appreciate that more than he knows! Still riding in my Heritage gloves, the best on earth and an amazing company staffed with awesome people. <br />
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I also welcome some new owners, Kate and Lee Robbins in Ocala who have lovely Dutch horses that I will be riding this spring. I can't possibly write a thank you post without mentioning the Hollings who are steadfast in their support of me and have gone outrageously above and beyond to help me. And of course my "Ocala Mom" Sharon Will who is all in, 24/7, between her and my own mother I have the two best cheerleaders in the world! <br />
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None of this would be possible without my incredible horses, Houdini and Sir Donovan. The trophies and ribbons are as much theirs as mine. As I sit on the deck listening to them meander around in their fields, I am so thankful that I have been privledged enough to spend another year in their company. To turn them out at the end of a long year, sound and happy, is bliss. I am already looking forward to next years' competitions, but I am pretty sure all they are looking forward to is more alfalfa. <br />
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Bring it, 2013!<br />
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xoxo<br />
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k<br />
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<br />Yellow Rose Eventinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009634651458648269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568695040608053073.post-23299930815137924712012-10-01T18:43:00.001-07:002012-10-01T18:43:28.346-07:00Fair Hill<blockquote style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Helvetica;" type="cite">
<span>Here I am, sitting with a glass of wine not fully believing </span><span>that I have just entered my third Fair Hill CCI3*. I am at </span><span>the ripe old age of 25 and it is my last year for the </span><span>National Under 25 Championships, with my “old” </span><span>campaigner Sir Donovan who is nearing senior citizen status </span>at the age of 10. Will have to remember to pack our walkers and hover-rounds. And umbrellas. And parkas… oh dear. </blockquote>
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<span>Don took us both around our first Fair Hill when he was 7, I </span>was too young and dumb to realize how exceptional a feat that was. It was also the monsoon year, Noah’s Ark could have gotten around faster than we did. I think Don loved it, being from Ireland, he probably felt right at home in the mud and muck. Nonetheless, we jumped an amazing clear round, and 3 years later I like to think I am less young and dumb and able to give it a better shot this time around.</blockquote>
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<span></span><br /></blockquote>
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<span>Our second year we did Fair Hill, in 2010, again we jumped </span>clear cross country and improved our effort by finishing 4th in the Under 25 Championship and 7th in the Owner/Rider Championship. That year the going was much better and I wasn’t soaked to the bone every day. </blockquote>
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<span>Don and I took a year off from Fair Hill in 2011 and decided </span>to try Galway CCI3* where we jumped double clear around<span></span></blockquote>
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<span>cross country and finished 12th. We had an amazing trip, it</span></blockquote>
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<span>was a fabulous event and being in wine country wasn’t too</span></blockquote>
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<span>shabby either. </span></blockquote>
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<span></span><br /></blockquote>
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<span>I had not originally planned on entering Don in Fair Hill or</span></blockquote>
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<span>any fall 3* for that matter. After a long post-Olympics talk</span></blockquote>
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<span>with my coach, Jon Holling, we made the decision to put him</span></blockquote>
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<span>on the market so I can use the money to purchase some very</span></blockquote>
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<span>high quality young horses. It was a bit crushing, like when</span></blockquote>
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<span>I was a little kid and I thought my Shetland pony Woody was</span></blockquote>
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<span>going to be the next Winsome Adante. I am beyond fortunate</span></blockquote>
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<span>that I have another fantastic young Advanced horse waiting</span></blockquote>
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<span>in the wings, so it became a matter of which one do I need</span></blockquote>
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<span>to sell to further my riding career. I had figured I would</span></blockquote>
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<span>spend the late summer and fall at my farm in Ocala and just</span></blockquote>
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<span>keep on keeping on….</span></blockquote>
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<span></span><br /></blockquote>
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<span>But….</span></blockquote>
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<span></span><br /></blockquote>
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<span>All it took was one crisp fall day. I think event riders can</span></blockquote>
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<span>measure their seasons by “Kentucky” and “Fair Hill”</span></blockquote>
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<span>and once the weather turns, you just feel it.. and that one</span></blockquote>
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<span>day it felt like Fair Hill. I could close my eyes and see</span></blockquote>
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<span>the red and yellow trees, the colors of autumn in Maryland.</span></blockquote>
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<span>Suddenly I had the taste of crab bisque in my mouth. I</span></blockquote>
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<span>immediately remembered where my sweaters were packed and my</span></blockquote>
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<span>internal GPS hit the coordinates for Elkton. It was all over</span></blockquote>
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<span>for me and before I knew it I had pressed the “send”</span></blockquote>
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<span>button with my entry. </span></blockquote>
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<span></span><br /></blockquote>
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<span>This year at Fair Hill is bittersweet for me, as it will</span></blockquote>
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<span>likely be my last major international event with Don. He is</span></blockquote>
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<span>an amazing cross country machine and I would like nothing</span></blockquote>
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<span>more than for him to do for someone else what he has done</span></blockquote>
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<span>for me, gave me confidence, gave me experience, gave me</span></blockquote>
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<span>everything. Here we are, Don and I, feeling old at 25 and</span></blockquote>
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<span>10, but so much has happened to us between our first Fair</span></blockquote>
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<span>Hill and now. We’ve hit every 3* in the country, conquered</span></blockquote>
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<span>the Wild West together, twice (we did go to Montana, too!).</span></blockquote>
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<span>We ate Poutine at Bromont and did the Dirty Jerz in style by</span></blockquote>
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<span>finishing 4th. We’ve been Forked 3 times and we’ve eaten</span></blockquote>
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<span>more corn cobs than I care to admit at Richland. That’s</span></blockquote>
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<span>just scratching the surface, Don and I have done it all, it</span></blockquote>
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<span>just seems fitting that we end up right back where we</span></blockquote>
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<span>started… Fair Hill. </span></blockquote>
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<span></span><br /></blockquote>
Yellow Rose Eventinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009634651458648269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568695040608053073.post-71123525630262798852012-08-31T17:14:00.000-07:002012-08-31T17:14:03.803-07:00Gypsy road survival guideWe are finally back from our crazy gypsy adventure.. first traveling to one of my favorite towns, Aiken so both Don and Hewie could run the AI. Don was 3rd and Hewie 5th, both getting really prepared for Richland. They did not dissapoint me, Don finished a solid 10th in the tough CIC3* and Hewie completely took my breath away by being awesome in all 3 phases, despite me going irritatingly slow on XC. I have produced Hewie from a know-nothing baby, and for some reason, when you are leaving the start box heading towards blue flags all you can remember are the times when they didn't jump so well! It makes you not want to run so fast at stuff! Next time I will trust Screwy Hewie a bit more and hope for a better placing in the end, I am thrilled with him nonetheless. <br />
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I dragged my working student Alex along with me for the ride, and she learned just what gypsy life was all about. She took to it like a duck to water. For those who are just beginning their foray into gypsy horseshow life, I'd like to give you a few tips on how to ease the journey and keep your self occupied on the 20+ hour drives around the country.<br />
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1. Keep "fuel in the tank" and drink lots of caffeine. <br />
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Caffeine shakes and muffin top be damned, you <em>definitely</em> need that starbucks and breakfast burrito<br />
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2. Trash talking<br />
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Trash talking is a great way to pass the time early on in the trip. It not only gets your angry blood flowing, it keeps your mind nimble as you come up with better and more insulting insults. Trash talk other drivers, billboards, buildings, and eachother.<br />
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3. Take pictures of ridiculous road signs<br />
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Oh yea, take pictures of eachother if you're dumb enough to fall asleep. <br />
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4. Make the best of a bad situation<br />
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Oh jeez! You blew a tire? On the side of a mountain? And your spare has a big gash in it? And the highway patrol officer told you it's unlikley you'll be abducted? </div>
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Side of the highway balance beam Olympics, naturally. Highway Patrol gave us 10s on dismounts. Big shout out to US Rider who sent Angry Santa out to help us! You guys are for real the best!</div>
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5. Make fun of cars</div>
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Now we're 13 hours into the trip and we're getting a bit tired. We're in the corn field lands of Ohio or Nebraska or Narnia wherever it is that we are. Really the only thing to look at is other cars, so obviously we make fun of them and try to guess what they resemble. These are our favorites</div>
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Ant. Congrats to Alex on the impressive and surprising use of "thorax" to describe this car</div>
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Big toe. Easy.<br />
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Duck<br />
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Gorilla<br />
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Shoe<br />
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Thumb<br />
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Anything resembling this is what we refer to as a "geloppi"</div>
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6. Secret weapon. </div>
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You have now been driving 20 hours, it's 4AM, there is nothing to look at and no other cars on the road to make fun of. You have the caffeine shakes and you are completely delirious. Shadows become deer jumping out in front of you. Not even a stop at the Ag station energizes you. This is our secret weapon, it is only to be played through the truck speakers on high volume. It won't work if you just play it on your phone. And if you have dogs in the truck, you're in for a treat. It will buy you at least 30 minutes, 1-2 hours if you try your best impressions as it is playing. This will get you through the final push, I promise.</div>
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Until the next gypsy adventure!!!</div>
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Yellow Rose Eventinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009634651458648269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568695040608053073.post-27178502281757907512012-07-16T15:48:00.001-07:002012-07-16T15:48:18.820-07:00Reality vs. EventingIt's the middle of July and I am finally finding the time to sit down with a glass of wine and update y'all on the goings-on. To be perfectly honest, the majority of the spring would be one that I would love to forget and erase forever from my history of my life. My "Little Red" (Houdini) had an unsuccessful move up to Advaced after previously completing 3 CCI2*'s and "Big Red" or Don (Sir Donovan) dumped me at Kentucky. Not a great start to the year. That is the funny thing about horses, one moment you are on top of the world and the next moment you are at the bottom of the heap. If you are going to survive in this business, one must have the tenacity to keep chipping away at it day after day, no matter what. <br />
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At Kentucky, I was beyond thrilled that Don actually stayed in the ring this year, he dug deep and settled his nerves about the big arena and did a perfectly obediant dressage test. Not a class winner but we'll take it. I accredit it mostly to Jon Holling's consummate coaching, "Dont F--- Up" was basically the mantra for the week. I did manage to f--- it up on Saturday, but did I mention we finished the test?! Next year I suppose. The course at Kentucky ate a lot of people this year, I had a stupid bobble at a nothing fence because I rode hesitantly and I got what I deserved. There are no excuses other than I underrode and I will not make that mistake again. There is no one to blame but myself, I had the best support in my parents, Jon and his wife Jenn and my wonderful groom. I was well prepared but I neglected to execute. Next year is my year. <br />
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Saturday night in Kentucky, the question was, what next? A fit, sound horse that had an unfortunate error on XC.. what do you do? It is not like there is a 4* every weekend.. Oh Yea let me just go to the next one... In Germany... Easy right? I did not really want to pack up and go to Jersey again as Don was 4th in the CCI last year. I barely had the funds for a big trip, maybe Luhmuhlen? This is where it gets difficult, as you are getting older and Mommy and Daddy aren't paying all the bills anymore, you are finding yourself in a more precarious situation. Do I blow it all and run off to Europe for a competition I likely won't win, or spend the money on something that will benefit me, my business and my life in the long run? Such is the reality of life. Sometimes I liken the horse world to a fantasy land, it doesn't always feel like real life to me. I get to spend every day cavorting around with horses in the sunshine while most people my age are stuck in a cube on the 10th floor. Decisions, decisions.<br />
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The lease on my farm in Florida was up after Kentucky. I had been trying to find a way to buy the farm for a while but just couldn't make the numbers work. I started to look around at other places to lease, needless to say it was an unwelcome stressor in my life that couldn't have come at a worse time. I found a place on the other side of town, and after digging deeper, it looked like something I had the potential to buy. I couldn't believe it -- me, a farm owner? It was a hugely generous situation on the part of the owner but I ran with it. I used the "what next" money for the down payment and have been a blissful farm owner ever since -- and by blissful I mean tired, sunburnt, achey and crabby but nonetheless, I own a farm! My whole life has turned around. I feel stable, I feel secure, I feel the absolute opposite as I did 3 months ago. Although this summer I may not get to play the Traveling Gypsy role that I am so famous for, I am merrily slaving my days away on the farm, making it my own. I am also merrily digging myself out of debt that is also known as Farm Ownership, but I wouldn't have it any other way.<br />
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So here is where we get to plans for the horses! I am double lucky, not only do I own a farm but I STILL own TWO sound upper level horses! Knock wood..!! Hewie has done a couple of Intermediate this summer including a 3rd place finish at Full Gallop. I think he is almost ready to try another Advanced horse trial. For some unknown reason we developed a LCRF (Left-Corner-Runout/Freakout) issue but I think I pretty much have it solved. He is entered at Richland Park's Advanced and Big Red is entered in the CIC3*. I feel Hewie needs to do one more Intermediate in August to prepare so we will run up to River Glen with some students and canter around the OI there. Both Little and Big Reds will do the Full Gallop AI to prepare for Richland although I haven't decided if I will run them XC or not. At home I am chipping away on my exciting home breds, Pickle is becoming an expert trail horse. He is by Silvio I out of my 2* mare Rosetta Stone. I nearly cry every time he stands for me at the mounting block and I swing a leg over him. People who have not produced a horse from a single cell would not understand the amount of time and patience it takes to get one to the point where you can actually sit on its' back. I fondly remember when he was just a black dot on a computer screen, and later, a velociraptor yearling.. He has totally shaped up and he is everything I could have hoped for and more. Cooper, at 2.5 years old, is now longing a little in the round pen and getting a saddle put on him. He is almost ready to be backed. Cooper is out of an eventing TB mare and by a Han/Welsh pony dressage stallion named Hot Shot. He is a fabulous young horse who has been a pleasure for me to produce.<br />
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Well, to be honest I really only have plans through Richland. I will keep chipping away at the babies here and my awesome sale horses. I imagine Don and I will return to Fair Hill this fall for the 3rd time to hopefully win the Under 25 Championships. We have been 3rd in 2009 and 4th in 2010 and I intend to bring home the cooler this year. It is my last year, I am getting old. I can almsot taste the crab bisque. Hewie will let me know his schedule after Richland. I will perhaps take him to another Advanced horse trial or maybe try for a CIC 3* this fall. At 8 years old, I am just allowing him to tell me what he is ready for and what he wants to do. \<br />
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LIKE the Yellow Rose Eventing page on facebook for pictures of the farm, I promise to take and post them this week! <br />
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Until next time,<br />
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Katie, Big Red, Little Red and Pickle the Trail Horse <br />Yellow Rose Eventinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009634651458648269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568695040608053073.post-32773762569477055612012-04-18T15:06:00.000-07:002012-04-18T15:06:05.400-07:00Days 1 & 2 of Amazing Multi Horse Show Gypsy Adventure....but I really haven't slept, so I will just count all of these occurances as just a single day.<br />
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No grass grows under the gypsy wagon's wheels, so Lindsay and I found ourselves packing for another adventure. We decided to go to another horse show on the way to Kentucky and take Hewie along... and by on the way I mean completely out of the way and totally out of my budget. Plus, that show is Fair Hill, which is always certain to be cold and rainy. Case in point, today, and the forecast for every day this week. Whose bright idea was this? Jon Holling's, of course. <br />
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At least I have Wesley's all you can eat seafood buffet to look forward to!<br />
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We got here late last night after being on the road since 4:30am. I had planned to leave at 3 or 3:30 but Adrian needed to fix something on the big LQ trailer. OK, that was fine and Lindsay and I just took our time packing the odds and ends. About 4:00 rolls around and he is still twiddling with things, must be a man thing. We load up the horses and he is still fussing with switches and knobs. I give him the 15 minute warning which went in one ear and out the other. I truly believe he loves this LQ trailer more than me. Finally I made an executive decision and just started driving, with Adrian attatched to the side, it was like I was taking a baby from its' mothers' arms. He may have started crying... for the trailer... not for me. I am sure he is counting the minutes until he meets me in Kentucky so he can see his baby (the trailer) again.. silly man.<br />
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The morning didn't get much better for me. At about 7 am I was having trouble keeping my eyes open so Lindsay and I decided to stop for coffee. After browsing in the aisles of the gas station a younger sort of cute man came up to me and asked me how I was doing. Okay, all right, a little tired I guess. Then he announced to the world that I had my pants on inside out. And he called me "ma'am". Double crap. I had gone all morning with my pants on inside out (THANKS Lindsay and Adrian... good looking out) and I apparently look old enough now to be called "ma'am". Awesome just... awesome. <br />
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After putting on my pants like a big girl we hit the road again. The rest of the trip was totally uneventful. Lindsay and I both noted how much faster we were at our stops now that we didn't have the resident Trailer Freak with us. Faster, yes... but I do still miss the Trailer Freak very much even if he adds at least 2 hours on to my trip time just by being there. <br />
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Linsday and I took the boys on a trail ride around Fair Hill in what seemed like a frigid blizzard.. but in reality it was just 55 and drizzle. I have gone soft from living in Florida. Spoiled. Even the dogs have been shivering all day. I rode them both again on the flat this afternoon and had a lesson on Don with Jon which went really well. He is going amazing and everybody around has noticed a huge change in his attitude this year. I am optimistic about our chances at Kentucky but really, after what happened last year, if I can just have a happy horse in the sandbox I will be thrilled. Everything else will be icing on the cake. We drew # 20 so we will go Thursday afternoon, exactly what I wanted. I can't believe a week from today we will be in Kentucky. It seems like yesterday I was crying in my trailer and wondering how in the world I was going to sell all my stuff. Not this year!! Jon has been beyond awesome at helping me, and not just with my horses but my whole attitude and mental focus about riding and competing. <br />
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On that note... I'm off to eat pounds and pounds of crab!Yellow Rose Eventinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009634651458648269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568695040608053073.post-13412281469417479622012-02-29T19:43:00.000-08:002012-02-29T19:43:00.550-08:00What I have learned in a yearWell, here we are. Opening day for Kentucky was yesterday. That means it is almost 365 days since the buck heard round the world. I ran the gamut emotionally last year during my competitions, hitting every notch on the spectrum along the way. From being dinged out of the arena at my first 4*, to being top 5 at Jersey Fresh CCI3*, to recieving a grant to go to Montana, to yet another top 5 at Poplar CIC3*, to trekking all the way out to California for a great finish at Galway CCI3*. Aside from my competitions, my whole life in 2011 was unstable at best. Leaving my home in Maryland for 4 months in Florida, moving my business in June, saying goodbye to clients and friends and starting over... 2011 kicked my ass. I've managed to learn a thing or two along the way. Not just about how to be a better rider and competitor, but about life -- about how to be successful in any realm. I am learning what it takes, and there is no other way to learn what it takes besides to try, fail and try again.<br />
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<strong>1: Be fastidious about your goals.</strong> <br />
I made some major life changes in 2011. I quit my successful teaching and training business in Maryland to pursue my riding endeavors. I found myself teaching so much that I was not able to train and compete my own horses. I have two very good horses right now and I credit Buck for being the one to tell me, what are you waiting for, go for it. It was hard to say goodbye to my clients as I love them very much, but this decision was made for me. I learned that is OK to be selfish sometimes. I needed to afford myself the best opportunities to become a better rider and competitor. Success doesn't come to you, you go to it.<br />
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At the end of 2011, I was sure that my two top 5 placings at the 3* level were going to be enough to "put me on the map", so to speak. I was really hoping for a spot on the Developing Riders list and lord knows I could use the extra coaching. When that did not pan out for me, I was really down. I mean, really down. I found myself questioning if this was what I wanted to do with my life. Was I happy with the direction I was heading? Was I ever going to get ahead? I ticked along with the belief that there were so many people that I couldn't let down. My owners, sponsors, my parents and friends. As the closet genius Bill Cosby once said, the key to failure is trying to please everybody. I contemplated what I really wanted for myself. Thankfully Donald and Hewie got a relaxing 6 weeks off after our cross-country Galway trip. It was a good time for me to refocus. My mom told me that the only person I needed to answer to was myself and she is right. This IS what I want to do and I will do it for myself only. <br />
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<strong>2: Surround yourself with the right people</strong><br />
<em>"Success is a science. If you have the conditions, you get the result" - Oscar Wilde</em><br />
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Equally as important as it is to having the right training conditions, one must have the right people. People who support you. People who push you. People who want the best for you. People who are truly and genuinely invested in you. I am sad to say that I left a lot of the people at my home in Maryland, but have not struggled to find an additional team here in Ocala. This summer I started riding with Jon Holling and have been blown away at the compassion and interest from both Jon and his wife Jenn. They have been amazing to me. It is a good feeling to have that your coach has a genuine, vested interest in your endeavors. Jenn and Jon are always a phone call away and I know they truly want for my success just as I want it for myself. Peter Gray has been helping me with all of my dressage as he is very good at those circles and such. He has a calm, quiet way of teaching that my horses appreciate. He also taught Jon so the three of us can stay in agreeance and on the same page. It makes me feel good that Jon, Jenn and Peter are so interested in how my horses are going. I know they are all very busy, but to know that they believe in me and keep me in their thoughts makes me believe in myself even more. <br />
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I have also kept in good company here at my farm. My good friend Jill Mooney is here from Michigan for the winter, I am hoping she never leaves! She pushes me every day to be better. My Area 8 young riders Mackenzie and Andrea came for a month, and their enthusiasm for the sport really helped recharge my own desire to succeed. Lastly but certainly not least, my working student Lindsay who works tirelessly for these horses. She's up first and in bed last. She is dedication at its' finest. She loves all my horses as they were her own. There is no doubt in my mind who I want at the in gate, finish line, D box, etc... It is Lindsay. She knows these horses inside and out and there is never a second thought in my mind -- She will get the job done. Period. <br />
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<strong>3: Trust yourself</strong><br />
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I certainly don't know it all, but I do know my horses. I live with them. I see them first in the morning and last at night. I have learned from my mistakes last year -- not every program works for every horse or rider. Sometimes it is "square peg round hole". I know what I feel and although I have oodles left to learn, I know enough to tell if it is right or wrong. I will trust my instincts and be a better advocate for my horses. I will continue to do things that will work for them as individuals. I think back to Kentucky last year and all the things I did wrong. I did not trust myself and I paid the price. I condsider myself extremely lucky to have Jon, Jenn and Peter in my life where it is all a conversation. They will take my thoughts and feelings about the horses into consideration when advising me. It is just... so pleasant.<br />
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So there we go. That is what I have learned in a year. I'm hoping all my experiences will yield a much more positive result at this years' Rolex Kentucky CCI4*. If not... I'm going to bring the moonshine. And to the lovely people to bought me drinks at Jalapenos' in Lexington last year... can you plan to be there again? Just in case? <br />
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Cheers, kisses from Donald and Hewie.Yellow Rose Eventinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009634651458648269noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568695040608053073.post-10929369671439564232012-01-14T06:19:00.000-08:002012-01-14T06:19:25.733-08:00It's The Little ThingsI'll admit, I had a pretty hard time getting pumped up this winter for the upcoming Eventing year. <br />
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I was bummed about my performances at Galway, not seeing my name on the Developing Riders list and also about the Rebecca Farm Grant, although Sharon certainly deserved to win it. No sour grapes here, just reaching the point that I am sure every top level rider has been in, hell, every rider in general. Like you are beating your head against a wall, doing everything you can to be as successful as you can, only to be overlooked. All of this coupled with the stress of the holidays, well, I was in a pretty dark place.<br />
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I took it day by day and realized that if you focus on the big picture too long it's easy to get discouraged. I really needed to get back to what has made me successful in the first place, focusing on the resources I have and making them work for me. It's easy to get caught up in what you don't have, when instead you should be focusing on what you do have. Focus on the little things that make a big impact. I have a great team here that works so hard for me. My groom Lindsay is the best around, she works tirelessly and loves my horses. She takes care of them like her own. Now my friends are down here for the winter, Jill Mooney is here at my place with her lovely horses. She doesn't know it, but she pushes me every day to keep going. My vets and farrier are all looking forward to making sure Donald and Hewie stay in fine form for their big goals this spring. My friends in Maryland are constantly sending love and cheers which makes me want to keep pushing. My family was here over the holidays, they're convinced this will be my best year ever, I will do my best not to dissapoint them. Most importantly, I have two wonderful, sound upper level horses that love their jobs. <br />
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Donald and Hewie started back into work after Christmas, and now I'm pumped. They picked up right where they left off last year. They're going so well. They feel fit, strong and ready for action. Okay, Hewie looks a bit fat. So far they have had 2 light jump schools. They've been spot on. I will try to set up a lesson wiht Jon next week so he can point me in the right direction before their first horse trials. Hewie will run the OI at Rocking Horse and and the OI at Ocala before contesting his first Advanced at Rocking Horse II. Donald will keep training at home until he has a canter around Ocala OI, then he will join his little brother in the Advanced at Rocking Horse. From there Donald will go to Red Hills. I will see how Hewie handles his first Advanced and he will let me know what he is ready to do.<br />
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See you out there! <br />
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Katie, Donald and HewieYellow Rose Eventinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009634651458648269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568695040608053073.post-59686820199177980612011-11-09T13:52:00.000-08:002011-11-09T13:52:29.239-08:00Wayfaring in the Wild, Wild WestGreetings all... it's the Wednesday after Galway and I am still en route to home from my crazy trip to the wild west! Crazy was the word to describe it all week... every single person who heard that I drove had just one thing to say... "Seriously??". Yes.. seriously. <br />
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I can't complain, life on the road has been exponentially easier since I was able to take Joe's big LQ trailer. Having Kate Harris as my groom has been a godsend and she takes top notch care of the horses so that has been one less worry for me. We also brought along our personal driver/bodyguard/disc jockey... Adrian!<br />
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What a time we had in California. It started off a bit like vacation since we arrived so early. We went to some of the local vineyards and bought up some great wine. We went downtown to some restauraunts which was a real treat. Temecula is a very cool city and it was great to be at a horse show that was close to so many amenities. <br />
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Robert Kellerhouse, the organizer, totally gave us the hookup! Literally! We forgot our generator... and I'm too stingy to pay $250 for a weeks worth of electricity. So he found us a spot where we could plug in and we had a super posh place to park our rig for the week. Except for the possessed awning constantly trying to kill us, we had a sweet set up.<br />
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By now everyone has seen the results for the event and I have mixed feelings about my performance. I am still learning how to prepare these horses for their major competitions and I haven't been able to receive the lessons and coaching this fall that I am used to. I figured since Hewie will be moving up to Advanced next year I would go ahead and put him on the same fitness program as Donald. I think that may have been a mistake! I could barely hang on to the horse all weekend! He certainly won the warmup for dressage, until someone started a kubota! He lost his cool, and the $1,000 horse came out. I was proud of him for managing to get it together in the ring as he was literally spinning before he entered, but I had high hopes for him to win the event. He certainly has the capability, some times he just loses his head. Donald put in a lovely test despite the mud and muck in the 3* arena. It was a shame that we had to follow Buck and Reggie for obvious reasons! Although dissapointed in the score, I was thrilled with how rideable and relaxed Donald was and I think he is at a point in his dressage that is the perfect platform to build upon for next year. He will be ready for some big scores in the spring.<br />
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Out walking, my gag reflex started at about fence 5. Ian really put in some massive upgrades to the course and it was tricky.. very tricky. Extremely big, gallopy and ditches everywhere. I didn't actually start to feel good about the course until I was riding it. I was again dissapointed in Hewie on Saturday, he was feeling a bit too good I think and jumped us into trouble at the angled ditch and brushes which were early on in the course. He was really getting some air time over the fences and I just couldn't convince him to jump more conservatively. It made it difficult for me to keep him on his lines. He also spooked about mid-way through the course and spent an entire minute spinning in the arena. How embarassing. When he crossed the finish line, I finally felt he was relaxed enough to jump the course properly, and I wish I could have just cantered out and done it all again! He was barely sweating in the D-Box. I was pretty irritated at him, good thing he has the cutest smushy face, it is impossible to stay mad at him.<br />
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Donald smoked around the 3* track and exceeded all my expectations. It was the best cross country round I have ever had on him. Fit and full of running to the end, we took all the direct lines and came in a comfortable 10 seconds under time. Even though neither horse has had an injury, they both looked sounder than ever before on the Sunday morning at a CCI. I think both Hewie and Donald are really benefitting from my fitness program and the wonderful Florida footing.<br />
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They tried their bests on Sunday in the showjumping but both horses found the footing in the arena a bit difficult. Donald added just 1 rail to his dressage score to finish the CCI3* in 12th. I am so tickled with him and it is almost hard for me to give him his necessary time off now, I want to keep working on them both!<br />
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They are on holiday now and will be for the next month or so. They had a huge year and deserve a rest. Although I am not thrilled with my performance at Galway, it is so comforting to be bringing home two sound, healthy and happy horses and for now all my plans for next year are still in tact. In the end the real success is to keep a happy horse and now during the holidays I will have the pleasure of watching them graze in their field together after a job well done this year. <br />
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Until next year,<br />
Katie, Hewie and DonaldYellow Rose Eventinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009634651458648269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568695040608053073.post-62686303050330627402011-11-01T00:05:00.000-07:002011-11-01T00:05:05.884-07:00Gone bushGreetings from california!! There is a saying in New Zealand that if you have run away, gone rogue, taken off, etc; you have gone "bush". We have certainly done that and more! The red boys and I made it safely to temecula for Galway, against all odds! Joes groom, Kate Harris, has come with me to help and she has been an absolute godsend. Our friend Adrian has also joined us on our gypsy quest, which he decided to do in the last 30 minutes before we left! Not sure that he has fully realized what he has committed to but he will soon find out! So far he has not asked us where the nearest Hilton is... <br />
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We set off on Saturday morning from Ocala in the pissing rain. We made it all the way to Arnaudville, Louisiana to stay at Kylie and Court Ramsay's beautiful Pharmview farm. The Ramsays' son Calvin has my Arriador to ride, they were off competing Training level at Holly Hill when we arrived but I will surely see them both on our return trip. <br />
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On to Sunday, our most difficult driving day. Today we tackled the entire state of Texas in one go. To my shock and surprise Adrian drove most of the day and did quite well. Not too bad for a city boy! He did however introduce us to the highlight of the drive tha day which was Bucee's beef jerky. We stayed the night at a cute farm outside of El Paso, where they marveled at my "Clydesdales" that were sporting "casts" on their feet! Hewie had a minor tweak-out in his pipie corral stall but he soon settled in for the night. <br />
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Here we are, Monday! We have somehow been accepted by multiple border patrol guards into the state of California! Donald and Hewie were thrilled to be off the trailer and into their big beautiful stalls at Galway Downs. We arrived at dusk so I did not get to see most of the venue although I have been told it is one of the best in the west. I also managed to pick up a job driving 6 pro logs out for the event to be used on the course. I have always brought my own horses but never my own jumps! So Big Red, Little Red and the course have arrived. <br />
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Still can't believe we have made it all the way to Califronia! These horses take us to some amazing places. I am forever grateful to have such unbelievable partners in Donald and Hewie, partners who allow me to go on these wild adventures. I will post an update tomorrow after I can get the boys out for a flat school and trot. <br />
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Xoxo<br />
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The crewYellow Rose Eventinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009634651458648269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568695040608053073.post-3743256102745041812011-10-16T18:59:00.000-07:002011-10-16T18:59:21.815-07:00T minus 2 gallops to GalwayI feel like when you are getting ready for a major 3 day competition, your life can be measured in gallops. You live and breathe for that weekly run and then pray it goes well, hold your breath until you get home from the track and see that your horse looks okay. I am so fortunate to have my neighbor Stacey Emory's beautiful grass track on loan to me, so for a rational person there is not much to worry about. However, when you get closer and closer to your big event, rational thought goes out the window. The gallops leading up to the "Big Day" are zen-like. There is something very eerie about your last gallop before the competition, I will try to explain it more when it gets here.<br />
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For me, right now, Galway is still a go.<br />
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Both Hewie and Donald did a big gallop yesterday and were totally on form. I can say honestly that I don't think they have ever looked or felt better in their lives. It is amazing how little I have to work on their gallops. A shift of weight in my toes and they swap leads. I close my pinky finger around the outside rein and their balance comes up for the turn. They are fit, ready, and very in tune with what I am doing. They look like winners. They act like winners. Both of them have changed so much from the beginning of this year to now. They look like different horses. Donald finally has a topline and Hewie finally has an ass. They are shiny, bright, tuned up and ready for California. I'm fancying my chances.<br />
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I have been helping my friend Rachel ride some at a jumper barn here in Ocala. She is going through a pretty rough time and I have a few hours to spare, she needs a bit of a break so I have been running out there to try and lend a hand. It has been good practice for me just to sit on lots of horses. Riding is the best way to improve your riding, and I need to be really good at riding when I get to Galway.<br />
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I had a small freakout moment when I talked to Joe the other day who has been stuck in England. I have just been really worried about not getting tons of lessons leading up to this event. Jon Holling has been helping me out and I love how he works with my horses. Very demanding but in a patient and considerate way that I know my horses appreciate. I haven't called him this week because I didn't want to bug him before the Pan Ams, and my heart absolutely breaks for him. Obviously, if anyone deserved to go it was Jon, but sometimes it is not meant to be. It is devastating and unfortunate but at the end of the day we have to make the best decision for the team, and I know one day I will be there too. I will be in Jon's shoes. He is a class act and I know it will work out for him. <br />
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My mom and I were talking about how it was very strange not being at Fair Hill this year. Galway 3* is so new that it doesn't register in my brain yet. I just automatically associate fall 3* with Fair Hill.. and I'm not there.. not competing.. not eating crab bisque.. not buying fuzzy hats at the trade fair.. not walking thru the tunnel.. feels unnatural to me. <br />
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Galway is a new adventure. A new tradition maybe? At least no fuzzy hats will be required ;) <br />
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x<br />
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k, big red, & little redYellow Rose Eventinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009634651458648269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568695040608053073.post-37247980467688032642011-09-27T12:06:00.000-07:002011-09-27T12:06:06.717-07:00Poplar Place CIC<span lang="EN"> 26 September 2011<br />
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We are back from Poplar Place! Or as the Ag Station cop told me… 11 horse trailers have been through goin’ to Popular Place! <br />
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We left on Thursday in the ginormous Joe Meyer Eventing rig. Joe and Ruthie were kind enough to let me take their wheels for the weekend since they are in England. Yep, just me, two dogs and two red ponies. First time doing a weekend horse show by myself AND first time using the living quarters. Foresight is nonexistent and hindsight is 20/20...<br />
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Poor Hewie had a bit of drama before we left for the show. On Sunday he got stuck with a hot nail on his LF. He was pretty lame the next morning so I pulled the shoe off right away and started the soak-ice-pack routine. I was able to give him a little bute but had to stay within the FEI guidelines since he was entered in the 2*. We jumped with Jon Holling on Wednesday and he seemed to be all right, so cautiously off we went. Hewie trotted up like a pro at his in-barn and seemed to be ready to go. <br />
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Thursday night was a bit of a cluster. Between checking in, riding Donald and getting organized for the next day I barely had time to set up the LQ. Right, so, turns out campers have different plugs that won’t fit in normal outlets. Who knew? Obviously not me. Good thing Kyle Carter knew and he generously lent me a converter so I could plug into the generator. Got the plug, got the generator going, just in time for a gigantic thunderstorm. Of course, the generator dies (out of gas), and there is no way I am going out in the monsoon to fill it up. Meanwhile the spooky dog is freaking out at the thunder and spinning in circles, making it difficult to unpack and get settled. A 10’ area suddenly becomes very, very small when there is a terrified animal sharing your space.<br />
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Also, despite desperate attempts, I never could convince the refrigerator to get going. I purposely packed the thing full because I wasn’t going to try and unhook at the show - hydraulic jack a little dicey. <br />
I think it goes without saying that I am not cut out for camper living. <br />
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Friday morning comes and I am certain I look like death. Donald goes at 8:30 in the CIC3* and in order to maintain our new dressage day routine it meant I was in the barn at 5am. He was a bit of a twit when I did our “pre-ride” in the morning and I was worried he would be up to his old tricks again. Proof is in the pudding, what I am doing with him is working and he put in a really good test (for him). Very steady, relaxed, calm. That is what we are going for right now. I had a very short time between Hewie and Donald so I hustled to get on him and see how he felt. Basically OK but came up a little short in the 10m circles. Decided to play it safe, pull him out of the 2* and gave him a gram of bute. Of course… suddenly completely sound! Donna at Poplar was so sweet and let me enter him in the HT to practice a test in which he was a spooky hot mess. To stay on the safe side I did not do any more with him that weekend. <br />
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The 3* course definitely rode harder than it walked. Rarely do I have to scrap a bit on Donald but we did this weekend. Between the angled cannons, double corners and the gnarly rail/bank/coffin at the end, our work was cut out for us! We jumped clean and had the 2<sup>nd</sup> fastest time of the day. I underestimated the terrain at Poplar and it was a pretty good test of fitness. It is clear Donald needs to be more fit for Galway but he is just about where he should be now, lots more trotting and a few more good gallops and he will be all set for our Cali trip. <br />
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I got held in the jog on Sunday morning, mostly I think because I trotted him up like an idiot the first time. I sprinted down the lane with his head cocked sideways like I had never seen a jog strip in my life. Maybe it was the combined lack of sleep and lack of nourishment from my failed attempt at camper living. Other than a small stifle rub Donald had not a hair out of place, so of course I chose to represent him, which he passed easily. <br />
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The show jumping course was long and tricky. Since I have been having some lessons with Jon he has been a distance Hitler, I get reemed if I’m not loving the base. It is good for me and he is right. I am having a hard time making myself see that extra 6 inches and my eye is off. It will take me a few more jump schools to start seeing a more correct distance. In the meantime, at Poplar in the show jumping I rode like an idiot. I think I missed at every jump. Better lucky than good… I think Donald thought I was trying to kill us both and he suddenly became extra careful. All the rails stayed up but I had a few time faults. I am trying to see a deeper distance by holding when I need to be riding forward to the same distance. I will need to get this all sorted before Galway and practice, practice, practice. <br />
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The Red Moose ended up in 3<sup>rd</sup> again and although I am getting tired of seeing yellow ribbons I am thrilled with him. This was his best 3* finish yet and I am so happy to see him being consistent. I have always known that I have a wonderful cross country partner in Donald, but I feel that we are really finding our groove as a team in general. He is a funny horse and it takes a while to “get” him. He will now just go to some dressage and show jumping shows, maybe an Intermediate horse trial on the way to California. Trying to put the finishing touches on what I hope will be a winning performance. <br />
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Hewie is fine now and I will have to find another Intermediate run for him. He is spooky and sensitive and is the type of horse that needs to keep running to be at his best. I also have a whole month now to figure out the living quarters. <br />
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Til next time<br />
Katie, Donald and Hewie</span>Yellow Rose Eventinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009634651458648269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568695040608053073.post-89340240640068296472011-09-01T15:43:00.000-07:002011-09-01T15:43:32.225-07:00Adventures of an Eventing Gypsy<span lang="EN"> Jeez it’s been a while since my last update. I apologize for not keeping up on this but when you can’t seem to stay in the same time zone for more than a week it gets a bit tricky. The months of July and August have absolutely flown by as I have traveled from state to state, horse show to horse show, sofa to sofa. My road trip diet was basically made up equally of candy, coffee and alcohol. I like to call this the “trifecta”. I have the caffeine shakes, significant debt from purchasing diesel fuel, and a left arm tan that would make a truck diver jealous. <br />
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But how lucky was I?! Donald and I received a travel grant from the Broussard family and the Endowment Trust to attend the Rebecca Farm CIC3* in Montana. If we competed there, we were eligible for a much larger grant to go overseas. I found out about my grant just about the last minute, so I scraped and scurried to find a way out there. Luckily for me my new neighbor in Florida, Joy Meyer, was planning to head out there too. I called them on a Wednesday and we left the next day. I had never met Joe or his girlfriend before, no better way to get to know someone than spend 4 days in a truck with them I suppose. <br />
5 blown tires later we arrived in Salt Lake City where Joe and Ruthie had some sales horses to drop off. I’m sure the 3 of us were quite the sight, unkempt, unwashed, covered in grease and dirt from changing tire after tire. At least now I had an excuse for looking so disheveled, rather than I simply cannot be bothered with a hairbrush or makeup. <br />
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At last we were on our last leg of the journey to Montana. Joe had two rides, Snip in the CIC3* and Heidi the mare in the Preliminary. My Donald of course was in the CIC3* also. I got a lot of crap from my friends about driving, how horrible it must have been to go all that way. I am really glad we did the drive. I saw a lot of parts of the country that I otherwise would never have gotten to see. This country is so big and beautiful, it has so much to offer. Except gas stations. We sort of ran out of those when we hit the Montana state line. Luckily I am extremely experienced in running trucks down to the last drop. When I hit 0 Miles to E in their truck Ruthie got all sweaty and I think Joe’s eye started to twitch. No big deal, coasted in on neutral to Ovando, Montana, a town I will never forget!! We bought ALL of their diesel! And a pie. <br />
We arrive at Rebecca Farm!!! Everything is stunning and built to perfection. It is the perfect venue. It has all the bells and whistles. Donald got a humungous permanent end stall which, being 17.2, I think he greatly appreciated. Joe and Ruthie went lake trout fishing and we had fresh Montana fish. <br />
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Of course Donald trotted up at the first inspection like a pro. I then had my grant interview with some of the members from the committee. It was a bit of an emotional time being at Rebecca Farm, since the grant was given to us developing riders by Miss Becky who died of cancer last year. It is an extremely selfless and generous thing that she did for us riders, but that is just the type of person she was. I had written the Broussard family a letter after attending Miss Becky’s memorial at Rolex this year. It was on the Thursday after my horrendous and embarrassing dressage, I didn’t really feel like leaving my hotel room and I looked like I had gotten hit by a bus. I went anyway, and it was just amazing to be around these wonderful people, like how Miss Becky was, people who just wanted to support you no matter what. We started to talk about the letter in my interview and before I knew it they were crying, I was crying, nothing really got accomplished but some crying. Not really the way I wanted it to go but if nothing else it was sincere. <br />
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SO Surprise Surprise, Donald is up to his old tricks in Dressage again. I wish I had been able to get him out to a dressage show before loading up for Montana but there just was no time. It is strange, more than he is being a jerk I really do think he gets scared when the spotlight is on him. He normally a very confident horse with a bit of an ego but he just feels all clammy and nervous sometimes in the ring. I got on the computer that night and entered 3 dressage shows. <br />
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Also not a shocker, Donald ran clean and fast XC. Just 4 seconds over the optimum time which I am a bit bummed about. I need to learn how to shave the seconds off a bit more since he just is not a fast horse. I had one down in the show jumping, the middle part of the triple which was a tall and airy vertical. Overall we finished in 13<sup>th</sup> place which is my unlucky number since this will be the 3<sup>rd</sup> 3* that I have finished in 13<sup>th</sup> place. Must do better.<br />
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On the road again, this time back to Salt Lake City for Joe to teach a 3 day clinic. I picked up a few rides there and got to have some lessons with Joe which I really enjoyed. I think Donald appreciates the way Joe works with him as he is not really the type of horse you can just kick and kick or push around. The barn in Salt Lake is amazing and the people are just the best. I can’t wait to go back. I wish I skied or snowboarded since the barn is right near several resorts like Snowbird. But being afraid of heights and snow kind of puts the kabash on that plan. <br />
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After the clinic we headed east back through Wyoming and Kansas and eventually we hooked up with my trailer in Michigan. We paid someone to drive my rig up with Joe and my 2* horses to meet us. Joe and Ruthie headed off to Millbrook and I took my ponies to Michigan to stay with my good friend Jamie and do a bit of family visit. <br />
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I learned some amazing things and met some wonderful people on the trip to Montana. The Broussards treated me like family and I am so grateful to have them in my life. Joe has a wealth of knowledge and he was extremely generous to answer all my questions without getting too annoyed. Ruthie is a marketing and PR genius and it was so helpful to get her insight also. I am not sure if Joe and Ruthie realize that they are stuck with me now. More importantly I learned how to make a margarita in the backseat and roughly 20 obscure ways to open a beer bottle. And I kicked their asses at Monopoly. Every time. <br />
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The time I spent in Michigan was really good for me to work on my own with my horses. I went to dressage shows, I jumped on my own, I spent time really getting back to solidly communicating with my horses. I took them to a local Intermediate horse trial where they finished 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup>. On to Richland Park, the big event in August. Donald was in the Advanced horse trail and Hewie in the Intermediate. I also had Pips, the 4yo, in her first Training level.<br />
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I didn’t really do much breathing on Thursday before Donald’s dressage. I did a bit of a different warm up. Low and behold, it worked. Donald scored a 36 which put him in 7<sup>th</sup> place in a very big and impressive Advanced class. I had to scroll top-down to find his result rather than bottom-up!! Good boy Big Red!! Hewie also put in a good test finishing on a 35 in the Intermediate.<br />
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Cross Country Day!! Duh, Donald and Hewie are super stars yet again. They are so much fun to run and jump with. They know their jobs perfectly and we just get along great. I was 10 seconds slow on Hewie which I was kicking myself about because he is extremely fast. He can be a bit green and spooky in the woods and road crossings and he gets out of balance easily. I just err on the side of caution when I ride him since he is only 7. Donald bombed around the big and technical track and jumped every fence just as I thought he would. Took a bit of a leap into the 2<sup>nd</sup> water and I got snapped out of the tack since is big and I am small. Of course Donald being the true professional he just held his line and jumped the frog out without a question. I was 4 seconds slow on Donald again. I am not being too hard on myself about it right now since both Donald and Hewie are not as fit as they will be in 2 months when we are at our big fall 3 day, Galway in California.<br />
<br />
Donald was tied for 3<sup>rd</sup> going into show jumping which I was freaking out over a bit. He is finally getting some really good results and is even the 9<sup>th</sup> placed Advanced horse in the country. I turned him a bit too quickly in the arena to 4a which was an upright vertical down a hill with a brush box and I don’t think I gave him enough time to study it and I had the rail down. For being a big horse Donald is surprisingly sensitive and I think it rattled him a bit, he got a bit scooty so I also had 5 down which was an angled vertical. Other than my mistake he truly is jumping better than he has ever jumped. Luckily for me the rails fell easy for everyone and we held on to our 3<sup>rd</sup> place in the Advanced division. Hewie also had one rail which I was pretty upset about because I literally did not even hear him touch it. He is jumping so well and in such a good rhythm, it is like butter. <br />
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The little mare Piper also finished on her dressage score in 3<sup>rd</sup> place at her first Training level. WOW what a nice girl she is. She is for sale…. !! <br />
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We packed up and drove 18 hours straight back to Florida. SO GOOD TO BE HOME!! I’m currently working on tackling The Jungle aka my yard. Going to hit some more dressage shows and practice my show jumping, obviously. Get the boys a bit fitter. I decided to skip on the AEC’s since I truly am just a bit burnt out physically and financially. I am going to work on things at home and take both of them to Poplar Place where Donald will do the CIC3* and Hewie will do the CIC2*. I think Poplar and Galway are the only two 3*’s in North America that Donald has not done yet. He has jumped around every other one, some two or three times. Was really hoping to get overseas this fall but it was just not in the cards for me. Next year. Galway seems like a pretty cool Plan B and I am really getting excited to head out to the left coast.<br />
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<br />
Kisses from Donald, Hewie and me of course<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</span>Yellow Rose Eventinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009634651458648269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568695040608053073.post-80779950903114213852011-07-04T09:15:00.000-07:002011-07-05T18:31:10.094-07:00Kids These Days<span lang="EN">Allow me to stray from my typical training updates and write about something that has been on my mind. <br />
<br />
Oh, and Happy 4th! Enjoy some beer and fireworks (but not near the barn!) <br />
<br />
Since Bromont and moving to Florida I’ve been on a little bit of a “Summer Break”, I’ve had some extra time to do some reading, writing, and generally just time to pay attention to what’s going on in the world. <br />
I’m disappointed in the youth of eventing at the moment. This all started at Bromont, where two young ladies were stabled in the same aisle as us. My student Natalia, my great friend Christy, and my mother all came to support me that week. 1 horse is not enough work for 4 people, so when we weren’t taking care of Hewie, we were adding to the team effort. Our neighbor across the aisle had 4 horses for 2 people so of course we spent a good deal of time helping them braid, take care of horses in the vet box, schlep things back and forth from the barn, etc. Nothing extraordinary but simply things that needing doing. Natalia was also sweet enough to help Emma, Phillip’s groom, on cross country day when everything was crazy. And of course, there is ALWAYS something to do at Team BDJ! <br />
<br />
In our particular aisle, there was a young girl. A young girl whose horse blankets were the same color as Phillip’s. A young girl who was certain Natalia had stolen her cooler and spoke to her in such derogatory manner you’d think she was a sailor. Until she saw Big Phil’s name embroidered on the rug. Oops. Same young girl, hours later, severely disrespecting her mother (whom I am certain writes the checks) in the middle of the aisle in front of her grooms, coach, peers. How and when did this become acceptable behavior at a horse show? <br />
<br />
Same horse show, different young girl. She was being paid to groom for a young rider. At several points throughout the weekend, she had been asked to do a task by her rider, to which she replied, “No”. Knowing the wonderful family of this young rider well I am sure the groom was paid up front and her every need was attended to without question. The girl, who was currently at one of the best competitions in North America, refused to attempt to learn something by doing work and then complained about wanting to reach to Advanced level. And no, I’m sorry, playing games on your phone for the majority of the day will not help you reach that goal. <br />
<br />
If you’re a young rider sitting there thinking, Gosh, I have the talent, if I had those opportunities I would never muck it up like those girls did. I’m really hoping that I would agree with you, but sadly, I have seen many BN/N kids starting out that display the same terrible work ethic and “poor me” attitude. My attention was drawn to a post on the Chronicle (Yes, I do admit I read the Chronicle sometimes, ever since my 12 page train wreck meltdown thread). This post was by a young girl who was venting about not having opportunities, about being better than her peers, about how she should be able to compete more than she is. Venting is OK and I certainly understand the sentiment, but venting is annoying and pointless behavior unless you use it to help you find a better solution. There is a sense of entitlement and a “things should be easy” attitude with some of these young riders, and I know more than most, because often my working students walk through the doors with that chip on their shoulders. Some of these working students don’t make it past their first month, because I am simply unwilling to accommodate that attitude. The good ones buck up and make every day a learning opportunity, and those working students I often have gone way above and beyond for.<br />
<br />
Here is a memo to you young riders out there from someone who isn’t armchair quarterbacking. In this sport you never reach the top and think Yes, I’ve done it. I feel like some of you think that once you reach the Advanced level it is all sunshine, rainbows and smooth sailing. In reality, this is where the true hardship begins. I own two upper level horses, one that I have produced myself from day 1 and one that had been produced to the Intermediate level. I am clearly more fortunate than most to have access to such fabulous partners, but it hasn’t been without struggle. It is all on me to keep them fed, keep shoes on their feet and a roof over their head. It is on me to provide myself with the best coaching and lessons that I can afford. After all that is said and done, yes, sometimes there isn’t money leftover to compete them or do all the things I want to do. I had a conversation this winter with Sharon White, when I was down south for the winter training with Donald and Hewie and wasn’t able to be in Maryland working. I was struggling so badly to keep the farm in Maryland going and also stay on track with my competition schedule. I remember asking her with tears in my eyes, how do you do this? You seem like you have it together, what’s your secret? All she said to me was, “You are doing it”. That’s when I realized it will never get any easier, so I better decide if this is something I want. It is. <br />
<br />
My point and the bottom line for me is, how badly do you want it?<br />
<br />
Badly enough to move 800 miles away from all your friends and family to be a working student? Badly enough to wake up at 3am on a daily basis to gallop racehorses for extra cash to compete? Badly enough to move 900 miles again to be closer to more training opportunities? Badly enough to keep going after being completely humiliated and heartbroken at one of the biggest events in the world? Badly enough to prove every person who ever called you lazy, untalented, stupid, or just plain not good enough, wrong?<br />
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I hope every young rider takes a good, hard look in the mirror and asks themselves;<br />
<br />
How badly do you want it? </span>Yellow Rose Eventinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009634651458648269noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568695040608053073.post-61125322573671934282011-06-27T09:28:00.000-07:002011-06-27T09:28:30.383-07:00Summer UpdateHi everybody - thought it was finally time to get this blog back up and running and to update you all on life in general.<br />
<br />
So, yea, Kentucky didn't go so well for me. I'm not sure what happened, Donald got a little spun up from all the thunderstorms and because of the weather I wasn't able to prepare him the way I had been doing all year long. I sometimes forget that he is a young horse and still acts green occassionally. It was a hard pill to swallow and still is at times. The thought of what happened still stings, but I am using it as motivation. Que sera sera, on to the next.<br />
<br />
Jersey Fresh was a huge redemption weekend for us where Donald and I finished 4th in the CCI3*, our best 3* finish to date. I think Donald felt bad about Kentucky, he really did try hard to make it up to me. He got a nice vacation after Jersey and is starting back into work now. <br />
<br />
While Donald was on vacay, his little brother Hewie got his chance to shine at the Bromont CCI2*. Fabulous dressage put him into 16th going in to cross country. Hewie is still very much "the baby" around the farm so I was nervous about him on Saturday, he is still growing up and has a lot to learn, I wasn't sure how he would handle the big track. Maintaining focus is sometimes hard for "Screwy Hewie". His jumping efforts were fantastic and he went smoothly through every combination. However, he gets a little bit of "tunnel vision" in the long open gallops so turning around the track was a bit difficult, we ended up with a bit of time added to our dressage score. He jumped super for me on Sunday, we had two rails down, the front poles on oxers where I got a bit ahead of him. <br />
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Also, in other news, WE MOVED. I found a fabulous place in Florida that I adore. After discussing my riding future with Buck at Kentucky we all agreed that if I was going to be in this for the long haul I needed to put myself in a position where I could have access to more training opportunities. Ocala is a fantastic place for me to work with Buck on a more regular basis. I'm also located close to many top show jumpers and dressage riders. I'm excited to be so close to such wonderful trainers because most of all I just want to learn and be better.<br />
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All of the horses traveled safely including Fibi, who is due to foal now in a week! She is having a baby by Oldenburg stallion Banderas. I'm so excited about this cross. Fibi's baby will be a half brother or sister to my former 2* horse Rosetta Stone. He/She will also be an uncle or aunt to my Pickles, which will be sort of awkward since it will be younger than him. We have a strange family tree growing around here. <br />
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For now Donald and Hewie are mostly trotting and flatting, I'm waiting not so patiently on this new addition and also to hear on my Rebecca Farm travel grant. I really hope that Donald and I will be getting on a plane at the end of July! <br />
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Til next time,<br />
Katie<br />
xoxoYellow Rose Eventinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009634651458648269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568695040608053073.post-8713541113896353792011-04-19T14:31:00.000-07:002011-04-19T14:31:24.424-07:00The MomentWhen you've been working so hard for so long to achieve a dream like going to Kentucky, there comes a moment when you realize that all the sacrafice and suffering has finally paid off. <br />
<br />
On Sunday night I had that moment. I had just brought Hewie home from Ocala where he finished 7th in his first CCI 2*, a huge accomplishment for a horse that I had previously seriously doubted. It is amazing what can happen when someone believes in you, Buck has always taken a liking to Hewie and has basically made him what he is. He added only one rail to his dressage score which was an error on my part. I have an amazing horse in Hewie and I was glad to see him home safe, comfortable and successful. <br />
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Seeing Hewie and Donald out in their paddock at Buck's together again made me realize how far they, and I, have come these past four months. They have never looked fitter, shinier or happier. I've learned to be a better partner for my horses and am now ready to enjoy the rewards. Kentucky or not, I'm coming away from my time here a better, stronger, smarter rider and person. <br />
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My working student Jax is down here with me now and has been my saving grace. I couldn't have done it without her help at Ocala, juggling Hewie's 2 star and also making sure Donald stayed in work to be ready for Kentucky. I'm excited to be able to share this journey with her, she has been working so hard in Maryland making sure things keep ticking along up there in the bitter north. She deserves the break and a chance to see some of the world's finest horses and jumps.<br />
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A week from today we will be in Lexington preparing ourselves for the "big dance". We will also be reuinted with Buck who currently is in England getting ready for Badminton with Reggie (Ballynoecastle RM). I'm hoping for solid back to back weekends for team BDJ, we've all been working so hard and Buck really deserves a good ride there. <br />
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With Buck and basically everyone else gone, it's quiet around the barn and I think that's a good thing for me right now. It gives me an opportunity to refocus and mentally prepare myself for next week. Without the hustle and bustle of a busy training barn, I have a chance to clear my head and focus on the small details of my riding. <br />
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I'll update more next week when we are shipping off to Kentucky. <br />
<br />
xoxox<br />
<br />
Katie, Hewie and DonaldYellow Rose Eventinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009634651458648269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568695040608053073.post-12464470804559635932011-04-03T19:56:00.001-07:002011-04-03T20:28:58.359-07:00Being an adult sucks.... until it all pays offInstead of sleeping in until 10 and then getting some Waffle House.. I have finished riding 4 horses. <br />
Instead of hitting the bars.. I am driving through the night to teach or get back to my horses in Florida.<br />
Instead of spending that extra $50 on shots at the club, I have an insurance bill to pay.<br />
Heels? Like, High Heels? What Are Those?<br />
Instead of celebrating with friends after a horse show, I am drinking a bottle of wine and doing my taxes.<br />
The clock just hit 9:30... time to go to bed while the rest of the world goes out.<br />
<br />
Yes. I am an Adult. I am boring and old. I am walking the straight and narrow. Things are different when you set a goal and will stop at nothing to achieve it. I've had to make some huge sacrifices along the way. The day I actually take the time to brush my hair is a big deal. I now consider going to Pepe's a luxurious occasion. I have less friends, less time, less money, less everything.<br />
<br />
Even with all that I am missing, my life has been changed forever. Kentucky or not, I have learned the dedication and drive it takes to be successful at this level. There is no room for error. Your uninterrupted focus is paramount. There are now so many things I can't do. But look at my return... I am entered in one of the few CCI4* events in the WORLD. I have reached the upper echelon. I may not be ultra competitive.. yet.. but I am here. I have arrived. I know now what it takes and hope to continue to do this time and time again. <br />
<br />
I had a wonderful weekend coaching my girls in Maryland. Everyone had a great weekend and I am beyond proud. The fact that they did so well despite me not being around all winter shows their true grit and determination. They are also learning what it takes. <br />
<br />
Tomorrow morning I head off to the Fork for Donald's last run before the Big Dance. I am choking up as I type this. Part nervous but mostly excited. I am just hoping those 7 or 8 minutes on Saturday go smoothly so I can get to the main event. I have worked so hard, and Donald has too. He has been absolutely wonderful this spring and deserves to have a shot at the best track in the country. He has equaled me in my efforts. It's like he also knows what is at stake. <br />
<br />
Hewie is at home in Florida being kept in work by Casey. She is a godsend and what an amazing person. To keep going and helping the rest of us out even after her own horses' freak (but minor) injury.. true class. I know I will come back to Hewie in better shape than when I left him and I have no reservations about his CCI2* in 2 weeks. He is in the best hands. <br />
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It will be a whirlwind next 3 weeks. There is no rest for the weary.. just keep pushing. <br />
<br />
xoxox<br />
<br />
Katie, Donald and HewieYellow Rose Eventinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009634651458648269noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568695040608053073.post-36069790477605538562011-03-26T08:33:00.000-07:002011-03-26T08:33:31.481-07:00Ups, Downs and In BetweensSo they say about life with horses, the highs are so high and the lows are so low. It's a sport of extremes. One day you may feel on top of the world, and the next you could be crying in the surgery barn at Peterson and Smith.<br />
<br />
Well, the "Up" side is that Donald is great and I finally put my entry in the mail for "the big day". I'm having a really hard time being happy and excited about it because the "Down" side is one of my best friends' horses sustained an injury and is no longer going to be Donald's barn mate at the Horse Park. Special Blend, or Leo, had an inflammatory reaction to an ankle injection and had to be hospitalized. At first the vets thought it was an infection and that would have been devastating, but nothing grew in the culture and he is expected to make a full recovery. I've spent the past few days with Casey and Leo making sure that he (and Casey) was okay and the surgery went well. I know Casey (and everybody, including me) is just thrilled that he is going to be okay and return to competition when he's ready, but I feel like I've lost my co-pilot in this adventure. I feel selfish thinking that, but the fact that I had a great friend to go through this with kept me sane. I'm really feeling the pressure now as we get down to the wire here. I'm terrified of screwing up or something dumb happening. Enter paranoia. I may have to check myself into a psych ward when this is all over.<br />
<br />
Actually I feel like I've lost a lot the past 4 months, but maybe it's not such a bad thing. I've realized, in taking 4 months to basically do something for myself, that so many people in my life weren't in it to support me. They were in it for personal gain. Now that I've been gone for 4 months I've realized exactly who matters and who doesn't. I know who the people are who just wanted me around so I could ride their horse, do things for them, invite them to horse shows or just in general wanted my attention and focus. The people who just wanted to be a part of the lifestyle, not a part of my life as a whole. I guess at first I was upset that these people were backing out of my life but then a very smart friend reminded me, you have to break some eggs to make an omelette. The people who matter are still there, ready to pick up exactly where we left off 4 months ago. The people who aren't upset that I haven't spoken to them in 2 weeks because to be honest I haven't had time to speak to anybody really, even my own parents. Those are the people worth keeping. Those are the people that I love. Those are the faces I am going to be looking for as I'm coming down to the Rolex Arch and the finish flags on Saturday.<br />
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I'm hoping that when I finally do get home, I can grow this number of faithful friends. I met so many wonderful people at my fundraiser, it was a huge success. I'm blown away by the generosity of our eventing community in Maryland. I was absolutely thrilled to see so many smiling, well-wishing faces at Loch Moy last weekend. For every one shady person out there that I know I met at least 3 or 4 wonderful, amazing people who came out to support Donald and I. I hope these people keep coming, I had a blast with everyone and couldn't have come up with a better way to spend a Saturday. It was a long, tough day as we shuffled horses in and out of our cross country field but we got through it. My clients did such a great job helping, I'm so thankful, my friend Mike made all the food which was amazing and my working student Jax just worked tirelessly before, during and after. Biggest thanks of all goes to my landlord, Carolyn, who generously donated her schooling field for the day so I could use it. Amazing, just amazing.<br />
<br />
I know I haven't given much of an update with the horses today but they are doing fantastic. Donald will run again at the Fork 3* and Hewie is now just practicing until his CCI2* in April. They look fit, shiny and happy. <br />
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I'll give a shout later in the week after a few lessons and promise to update more about the ponies, because that's what it's all about!!<br />
<br />
xoxoxox<br />
<br />
Katie, Donald and HewieYellow Rose Eventinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009634651458648269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568695040608053073.post-6110110083765985782011-03-17T16:31:00.001-07:002011-03-17T16:33:03.729-07:00The Stress Diet<span lang="EN"> The Stress Diet<br />
<br />
So my last day at Red Hills went wonderfully. Donald jumped well but had 2 unfortunate rails down. I am still learning how to maneuver that big moose around the show jumping, he’s a lot to move around. Hewie jumped fabulously, probably the best he’s ever jumped, he had 1 down in the middle at a square oxer off a turn. I’m thrilled with both of them. Dr. Furlong also took a peek at Donald after Red Hills and said he looks great, fit and sound. <br />
<br />
Sunday was also unfortunately my last day of Krispy Kreme donut binge eating. Bad form to be stabled right next to competitor hospitality… between Donald, Hewie, the dogs and I we consumed probably over a dozen boxes of donuts over the weekend. Time to buy new pants and avoid mirrors.<br />
<br />
Luckily for me (and my bathroom scale) my life has taken a turn for the crazy. So busy that I literally do not have a spare second in the day to sit and eat. I have so much going through my head all the time that I feel drunk 24/7. No joke. Eating and sleeping are without a doubt the last things on my mind. I call this the “Stress Diet” and I’m sure it happens to every rider who is preparing for this thing in April. The journey to Kentucky takes on a life of its’ own, it consumes you, it owns you.<br />
<br />
I’m currently sitting on a flight back to Maryland which I made without a second to spare. You know those people that stick their hand into a closing elevator door, desperate to keep it open so they can get inside? Yea, that was me this morning, except it was an airplane. I also saw a really cute guy in the airport who started to talk to me, then I stubbed my toe and tripped. Hate those subtle inclines that you always have to look out for when walking around in airports. <br />
<br />
I’m really looking forward to being back in Maryland for a few days, checking in on the farm and doing my cross country fundraiser. It will be so good to see some familiar faces. I could really use a boost in my morale. I’m so lucky to have to much support, all the people coming, all the people that donated items for my auction. I have some amazing people in my life. Being away from everyone at home is very hard for me even though I know this is what I have to do to be ready for Kentucky. Sacrifices. <br />
<br />
I hope to see everyone on Saturday. <br />
<br />
Xoxox<br />
Katie</span>Yellow Rose Eventinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009634651458648269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568695040608053073.post-2037535036902753592011-03-12T18:32:00.000-08:002011-03-12T18:32:31.591-08:00XC Day at Red HillsToday was so great, I feel so spoiled to have such nice horses. <br />
<br />
Donald went right around noon in the 3*. It's always a big tough track here at Red Hills There are a lot of small changes in terrain and twists in the course that make it ride much tougher than it walks. <br />
<br />
He went great out of the box, blasting through the first corner combination, the coffin and the bounce banks. Just as I felt we were hitting our stride and reached a perfect rythm for the course, eeerrrp... Hold on Course. They held David Koss, who works for Bruce, and I at the same stopping point for 30 minutes while they dealt with Kyle Carter's fall on Madison Park at the angled brush fences at 14. It's always nerve wracking when someone has a fall and the curtains go up, but the event officials told us while we were on hold that Parker walked into the trailer which was a huge relief. I heard he was resting comfortably which is awesome. I also saw Kyle walking around tonight with his arm in a sling, not looking too bad, so thankfully I think they're both okay. The event officials did a really good job of communicating with us as we were on hold.<br />
<br />
Donald is very much a horse that needs to build. Sometimes I swear he is sleeping when he comes out of the box. I was worried about him starting again after standing around for so long. He went on to jump the double brushes, the 1st and 2nd waters and the tough double corners easily. However, he never seemed to get that "fire" back. He "superman-ed" it into the 3rd water and landed a little dead on his feet in deep water. As I pulled hard to turn him he just fell completely behind my leg and slowed to a halt mid-combination. Sort of a bummer as that incurred us 20 penalties but it's not an issue that I'm concerned about going home to fix - just a schoch of bad luck with the hold and whatnot. I circled him and he jumped out just fine, and on home we went. I'm very pleased with him and I really couldn't have asked him to be any better today.<br />
<br />
Hewie went a few hours later in the Intermediate and I really felt like this was a "make it or break it" moment for him. Red Hills is his 4th Intermediate and definitely the biggest track he's been on yet. He's a little bit.. well.. radical at times. I was pretty sure the big atmosphere and difficult fences would do one of two things, sit him down and make him focus or he would bolt into the woods to hide. Lucky for me he was just perfect all the way around. He has gotten so physically strong and he is just now showing how much scope he truly has. I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful horse in Hewie. He really has a huge heart and I know he would do anything for me. <br />
<br />
Both the horses look great tonight. Donald came into the D box today with a whopping temp of 100.8 so clearly not too stressed. Jogged both of them up tonight looking sound and strong. I'm going to try and get some good sleep tonight before the jog early tomorrow. <br />
<br />
xoxo, kisses to ponies<br />
<br />
kYellow Rose Eventinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009634651458648269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568695040608053073.post-48371543887582392502011-03-11T18:49:00.000-08:002011-03-11T18:49:52.902-08:00D Day down.. XC tomorrowCircles and lines are finally over. Dressage day is my most stressful day, basically because I'm not very good at it. I have to work twice as hard to be half as good as some of these guys. The level of dressage proficiency in eventing now is just amazing. Some of these riders and horses are just so, so good. Every time I enter the warm up at an Advanced horse trial, CIC or CCI it's like getting a free riding lesson. Some day I will be that good, I just need to learn how to half pass first. <br />
<br />
I was thrilled with both Donald and Hewie. Donald is and always has been a tough one in dressage. When he's bad he's BAD, but even when he's good it's hard to score well. He's a big long horse and it's painfully obvious when he's not engaged and connected. We get called out on it a lot in our tests but I'm learning how to shorten him up and ride him more uphill. Today was probably the most relaxed and attentive he's been in the ring, now I just need to trust that he's not going to blow up anymore and ride him a little bit stronger. <br />
<br />
Hewie had a good test today, very focused and steady, I'm struggling now to obtain the "flash factor" necessary to ride a winning test. The horses go quietly and consistantly but now I need more "bling" on my tests. Something to work on for sure.<br />
<br />
After walking cross country with Buck, I feel pretty good about it all. The 3* is big of course but doable. The turns and terrain make you want to slow down, but Buck really made a point of telling us to keep galloping where we can, that the course will reward a forward ride. I'll have to remind Donald to suck it in because some of those skinnies are REALLY skinny. The Intermediate course will definitely be the biggest Hewie has ever seen. I expect his eyes to literally be falling out of his skull at the finish line, poor guy. He may be a nervous nellie but he's the most obediant and trusting animal I have ever met. As long as I don't steer him wrong and try to keep him out of trouble he will be just fine.<br />
<br />
I do love coming to Tallahassee for this event because it's put on so well. We're lucky to have our stalls right next to the hospitality tent, complete with coffee and all the Krispy Kreme donuts a human (or dog, or Donald) could ask for. <br />
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Speaking of dogs.. remind me to buy some leashes for my mutts. Today a lovely man who happens to be the stable secretary here stopped by with the young girl who works with his horses. My younger aussie Roni naturally started to beg for attention from the girl. So we all chatted, and before I knew it, the poor girl was on the ground being rolled on and licked by my dog, knocking her diet coke all over the place, covering Roni and the sweet girl who was just trying to pet her. Instead she was mawled by an attention starved australian shepherd. The girl was soaking wet, I was terribly embarrassed, and Roni was just sticky. As the good horse people they were, they just laughed it off. Leashes.. tomorrow... bad dogs!<br />
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Donald runs in the 3* tomorrow around lunchtime and Hewie goes at 3:30. I intend to get out there early to walk some more and mull over lines and distances and such. Wish us luck!<br />
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xoxox<br />
<br />
kYellow Rose Eventinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009634651458648269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568695040608053073.post-9213132686564973362011-03-09T18:45:00.001-08:002011-03-09T18:45:39.478-08:00Almost Ready for Red HillsThe first big event of the season is upon us, Red Hills in Tallahassee, Florida. I have the privledge to be running the 3* with Donald and the Intermediate horse trial with Hewie. I'm excited and nervous for this outing, particularly with not one but two big 3-days looming in the not-so-distant future. Hewie will be going to Ocala for his CCI2* and Donald.. well.. he is supposed to do that thing in April.<br />
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It's different this year. Everything is. I think everything changes when you have your sights realistically set on a four star. You're that much more demanding on yourself and your attention to detail improves. Every flat lesson, every jump school, everything is that much more important and real. You refuse to let yourself or your horses get away with anything. Perfection isn't something you strive for anymore, it's necessary.<br />
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Last year at Red Hills my goal was to get both horses around safely and have a positive, confidence building outing. My goals are the same this year but amplified. Every stride is a step closer to the last week in April. It's a lot of pressure and it's very difficult being a 24-year old Advanced level newbie from modest means trying to deal with it all. <br />
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It's even harder trying to push out the other stressors in my life. I'd love to say the background events in my life don't get to me, but they do. They weigh on me and impact my focus. I do my best to "trim the fat" but sometimes it's just unavoidable. Trying to juggle finances, employees leaving, horses coming and going, relationships and general horse world drama is a daily struggle. After all is said and done with the horses, I barely have enough emotion to care for anything else. I guess this is part of being a successful upper level rider, the mental aspect, the "Mind Gym" (from a great book my friend Lainey Ashker gave me. A must read.). <br />
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I'm going to try my best to maintain my focus, to give my horses the best possible ride, to maintain a positive attitude and always be hopeful and humble. This weekend is a big one and I'd like to come away from it that much more prepared for "the big day". <br />
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Wish us luck! We head out tomorrow!<br />
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xoxox<br />
<br />
kYellow Rose Eventinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009634651458648269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568695040608053073.post-89855810249947388092011-02-22T09:26:00.000-08:002011-02-22T09:28:45.816-08:00Repeat Success at Rocking HorseI'm still smiling from the weekend<br />
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Donald was just awesome again in the dressage, scoring a 38. It was hot and humid and he was a little slow on his feet, I felt like he could have easily knocked off 5 points had he been a little more fresh. To make it even better, Brian Ross was my judge, and he has given me some of my worst scores ever! Finally, I have pleased this judge! If I had ended my weekend right there I would have been thrilled.<br />
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On to showjumping. The arena at Rocking Horse is hard for me to jump in, it's small, there are a lot of jumps crammed in, and I'm riding a 17.2 hand moose. I had one rail but there were very few clear rounds so I wasn't terribly upset. I am going to try and make it over to HITS or some small jumper shows later this season to try and really up my game in the show jumping, I want to try and leave the poles up in April.<br />
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The cross country was a great first Advanced of the year, but there was enough to do. Two corner combinations, a real sunken road, lots of narrows and angled lines. Buck told us to just take it slow and be careful since the footing was a little hard. Donald was wonderful to jump and I saw a forward deep distance nearly every time. I didn't kick him in the gallops and just let him go at his own pace. To my pleasant surprise I was only 15 seconds or so off the time. I felt really great about this because it meant that I was saving my time elsewhere on course, not just galloping like crazy. I wasn't picking to the fences, I was riding smarter lines and keeping a better rythm throughout. Donald isn't an exceptionally fast horse so all these things are very important to him being up on the clock.<br />
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He rounded out the weekend in 7th place in a large Advanced class. I'm so happy with him! He got lots of kisses and of course some extra grain.<br />
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My girls also did a great job this weekend on their ponies. Brooke took her pony Tally to her first recognized BN and Lauren took her pony Cheyenne to their 3rd Novice. Cheyenne is a very reliable pony and nearly always finishes on her dressage score, she and Lauren added 0.4 time faults for being 1 second over the time, which I actually was very happy about, since it means she went at the correct pace the whole way. They finished their weekend in 6th. Tally and Brooke had a green rail in stadium and had a beautiful double clean XC round, which we all were thrilled about, being Tally's first event and all. Tally and Brooke finished in 9th in the BNR which was a fairly large class. I'm very, very happy for them both. <br />
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This weekend is an off weekend from competition, so I'm going to run the two ponies back up to Maryland and check on things up there. <br />
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xoxo<br />
<br />
kYellow Rose Eventinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009634651458648269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568695040608053073.post-85905289524499135352011-02-17T16:55:00.000-08:002011-02-17T16:55:20.224-08:00Orange Horse does Ocala and Red Horse does Rocking HorseOld news is better than no news, right?<br />
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I took Hewie to his 3rd Intermediate this past weekend at Ocala. I had a long conversation with him about how he had to maintain his focus in the jumping, no more silly technical 20's allowed. He had his Bogey for the year. My working student Karen Shea also took the mare she has been riding, Razzmatazz, in her (Karen's) first ever event at Novice. Tazz is owned by my good friend and sponsorship coordinator Christy Hughes and has just been the best partner for Karen to learn to event on.<br />
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I felt bad because I rushed Hewie into the dressage ring and he didn't get a great score. I am still trying to figure out how to warm this horse up properly, too long and he gets sweaty and dull, too little and he's all jacked up. I was dissapointed in that, only to head into a fabulous double clear showjumping round. Way to go Hewie!<br />
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Karen finished her first day on a 39.5, finished the whole competition on that score as a matter of fact. Earned herself a pretty Yellow ribbon. I am so proud of her. She rode her cross country like a champ, looking just like an old pro. <br />
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Hewie was the most relaxed he's ever been on cross country, focused, attentive.. he was just fabulous. I'm so proud of the round he put in. We were a few seconds late so he finished on his dressage score and change in 6th place. <br />
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On to Rocking Horse this weekend.. the first Advanced of the year.. everyone at the barn is a little geared up. We had dressage lessons today and all of the girls at Buck's red horses (including mine) were a little fresh. I got some really good work out of Donald but I was pretty dissapointed, he hadn't blown up in a while and I had figured we were past it. Buck brought up a good point to me while I was wallowing in my sorrow. I had told him that I feel like if I can't even practice my dressage calmly at home, what am I thinking trying to go to Kentucky. He said that right now Donald is ready for Rocking Horse, not Rolex, he hasn't peaked yet and there is a lot of work left to be done before Kentucky. He told me not to get too hard on myself and just focus on the task at hand. He's right and I'm lucky to have him guiding me. <br />
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My other working student Jax is down here this weekend helping the students and I. Brooke and Lauren are taking their ponies BN and Novice at Rocking Horse as well. I got to introduce them to some fun Ocala locations, like Pepe's. It should be a fun and succesful weekend for all of us and I'm looking forward to it. <br />
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xoxox<br />
kYellow Rose Eventinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009634651458648269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568695040608053073.post-89183968742101876432011-01-30T20:43:00.000-08:002011-01-30T20:43:44.242-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CmV9eYZjzLE/TUY9681aYOI/AAAAAAAAABQ/-GuwkEkHiqY/s1600/donaldhewie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CmV9eYZjzLE/TUY9681aYOI/AAAAAAAAABQ/-GuwkEkHiqY/s320/donaldhewie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Yellow Rose Eventinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009634651458648269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568695040608053073.post-82877372041437052462011-01-30T20:33:00.001-08:002011-01-30T20:33:16.301-08:00Rocking Horse Recap<span lang="EN"> FINALLY<br />
I have learned to sit the trot on my horse, and it has paid off! Donald was proudly tied for 4<sup>th</sup> after dressage.. Top 5.. Something I never thought I would see on that horse until AFTER all 3 phases. We are not a hot mess anymore.. We’re hot.. Well… ya know ;)<br />
I’d like to think it is just all my hard work paying off, but maybe it is because I threatened Donald on the way to the show. I told him that if we were still bad at dressage, I was going to pack everything up and leave for Maryland straight from Rocking Horse. He would be back in his paddock at home with 8 inches of snow. I don’t think he liked that idea. <br />
At any rate, things are shaping up for us not to be a total embarrassment in the ring at Rolex.<br />
Donald and I bumped down a few places after show jumping where I made a rookie mistake. Running at the long spot tends not to work above Training level.. Oops. On the plus side, I did get to ride with a bit and spurs this time and he jumped very well. <br />
On to Cross Country! It was Donald’s playground and he was foot perfect. I think he was so happy to be back out there. I tried him in the snaffle but I think I would like my gag bit back for the next go. Donald has a special bit that I rigged up for him. It is like that fairy tale.. Goldilocks and the Three Bears.. The snaffle bit is too small, the gag is too big, but the PONY GAG is just right! I found these perfect pony sized gag ropes and put them on his full cheek bit, perfection, it’s “Just Enough”. I think Goldilocks is right? Or is it Little Red Riding Hood? Who was that chick that went into the woods and ate porridge? Or was it the bears that ate the porridge? What is porridge?<br />
Hewie’s day was good and bad. He was good in the dressage but got a little nervous and curly. I struggle to make Donald round enough, Hewie is almost TOO round. Hewie jumped his big ole heart out in show jumping, he had the last rail down with his back tippy toes. I think he jumped so hard he wore himself out. I’m very pleased.<br />
Sunday. Cross Country. Poor Hewie, he was doomed from the start. As we biked the XC I knew the exact moment where he would lose it. The course started in the middle of the field, then worked its way back around to the front of the venue.. Right.. By.. The.. TRAILERS. Ugh, I knew it, and there was nothing I could do about it. We jumped 1, and 2 and 3, and headed towards the first combination. Then it happened, a piercing scream… DONALD. He saw us! He screamed at us! He SABOTAGED us! Hewie’s head flew up in the air, started screeching back, and peeled out. The turbo kicked in and we were a screaming, wild orange lightning bolt. Eyewitness accounts described it as “Shocking” and “Very Fast”. I like to call these episodes his “Zig Zag”. I barely got him back under control enough to jump 4, a table, but there was no hope for us, I was still riding an emotional lunatic and there was no way I could keep him focused enough to jump 5 B, the corner after the skinny. Being the rational one of the two, I simply circled around and picked off the corner in fine fashion, settled the nervous wreck and we went on our way. He jumped spectacularly around the rest of the course. At that point my technical 20 put us so far behind, I just took it slow and carefully guided him around, he is so green at the Intermediate level that even when he makes mistakes I want to make sure he is safe and gains confidence. <br />
Next time we go XC… Tell Hewie to leave the Zig Zags at home!</span>Yellow Rose Eventinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12009634651458648269noreply@blogger.com0